A 4–18 GHz, 35 W GaN MMIC Power Amplifier with Improved Thermal Performance

The design and measured performance of a non-uniform distributed power amplifier (NDPA) operating from 4 to 18 GHz and achieving an output power of 35 W with an associated PAE between 25 % and 33 % is demonstrated. This design utilizes a shared drain line topology for the output stage, and achieves an output power density greater than 3 W/mm. Efficiency and thermal performance, namely peak junction temperature, have been signficantly improved compared to the predecessor design in [1] at both the MMIC and module levels, reducing DC power consumption by 40 W while maintaining RF output power in the same module.